IT'S a virtual playoff for a spot in the Top Four as grand slam-chasing TNT and Barangay Ginebra square off in a vital tiff in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium Sunday.
Deadlocked at 6-3 in this late stage of the elims, the Tropang 5G and the Gin Kings clash at 7:30 p.m. in a game that could well determine their fates in the rumble for the four spots with a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.
TNT is in a position to snatch a win-once bonus in stringing up six straight wins after a flat 0-3 conference start, and Ginebra enjoys the same after beating Magnolia in their Manila Clasico dispute, 85-81, Sunday.
And both want to make the most of it.
"We talked about how winning (their last game) will give us a chance. All we're asking for is a chance," said TNT coach Chot Reyes. "Now we have a chance but we all know how difficult that road is going to be. We'll see what happens."
Sponsored content:
Ginebra coach Tim Cone expressed the same in their win against the Hotshots.
"We were playing for our playoff lives in that game. We put up a couple of losses together. It would've been tough to get back into the hunt for the Top Four," he said. "But this keeps us firmly in the hunt, still allows us to control our destiny."
The Tropang 5G and the Gin Kings are now going through one another as they pursue their goals.
The leading teams are bunched closely together that one loss could dash one's hope for the coveted quarters incentive.
For TNT, it's Ginebra then Magnolia to close out its elims stint. For the Gin Kings, it's the Tropang 5G then the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Sponsored content:
In a wild fight for the Top Four are NLEX (8-2), San Miguel Beer (6-2), Magnolia (7-3), TNT (6-3), Ginebra (6-3) and ROS (6-3).(SB)
